New judge appointed to Court of Appeal

One of Western Australia’s top commercial lawyers has been appointed as an additional Judge of the Court of Appeal.

Attorney General Jim McGinty said the appointment of Michael Buss QC to the Court of Appeal would help cope with the extra workload of the court.

“During 2005, the number of criminal appeals increased by almost 30 per cent, so an extra judge is needed in order to keep the Court of Appeal lists on schedule,” Mr McGinty said.

“Michael Buss QC is an eminent legal mind and is well qualified to fill the role.”

The Attorney General said Mr Buss would bring a wide range of experience in commercial, mining, administrative and various other areas of law to the court.

Mr Buss graduated with honours from the University of Western Australia in 1976 and commenced articles with the Perth firm of Warren, McDonald, French and Harrison.

He was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1977. Between 1981 and 1987, Mr Buss worked as a solicitor and partner at Muir Williams Nicholson/Freehill Hollingdale and Page.

Mr Buss moved to the Independent Bar in 1987 and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel six-and-a-half years later in 1993.

He was appointed Counsel Assisting in the 1992 Royal Commission and has experience in arbitrations and mediations, as well as acting as a commissioner of the Supreme Court.

Mr Buss has been an active contributor to the Law Society’s legal education program and has been a vice president and member of the council of the Bar Association. He has been the chairman, deputy chairman and a member of the Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee and has taught Law at the University of WA.